Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

Title: Sizzling Sixteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
ISBN: 9780312383305
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2010
Hardcover, 320 pages
Genre: Humorous Mysteries, #16 Stephanie Plum mystery
Rating: D-
Source: Paperback Swap

First Line: My Uncle Pip died and left me his lucky bottle.

In this sixteenth chapter of inept bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's life, her low-life relative and boss, Vinnie,  has run up a huge gambling debt. He's being held for ransom, and it has Stephanie, Lula and office manager, Connie, racing to find him so the business-- and their jobs-- will be safe.

I recently read and reviewed the fifteenth book in this series, and I stated that I'd finally hit the wall. I'd already received this one from another Paperback Swap member, so I read Sizzling Sixteen fast to get it back in the system and on its way to someone else.

I have only one word for this book: T-I-R-E-D. All the plot elements and character quirks have been recycled so many times that I don't think I even cracked a smile the entire time I was reading. I wasn't the only one feeling tired; the book-- if a book can have feelings-- felt tired, too. This crew needs to be put to bed.

I don't know how many more books will be in this series, but I won't be reading them. If the movie that's being talked about is actually filmed, I'll see it as a matter of curiosity, but no more books for me.

If you have yet to read any of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, by all means read the first seven. You'll be in for a treat. Past book seven, and you're on your own.





16 comments:

  1. Hi Cathy,

    It's great to see someone who is willing to leave their true thoughts about a book.

    I often think that reviews can be very subjective, as they are so much a matter of personal opinion - "one man's meat, is another man's poison" - and all that.

    If you are reading and reviewing for a publisher, you must almost feel honour bound to bias the review towards the good, despite your real thoughts.

    Some of the books I read are not the latest releases, or by the most modern authors, but have been simply sat on my bookshelves waiting their turn to be read, or simply brought by me from various charity shops, for no other reason than I WANT to read them.

    This is one book I can definitely say I will never have the urge to read, despite the great cover art, so good for you. I hope your next read is something that you can enjoy a little more.

    yvonne

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  2. Oh dear. Wishing you good reading karma for your next book :)

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  3. Cathy, I really appreciate your final paragraph. I was going to comment that I'd read through #8 - should I go on. I will take your advice. There are just too many other books on my TBR list...

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  4. Cathy - Thanks for this review. I feel precisely the same way, and I've not made it to sixteen. And I don't really intend to. The first few in this series were terrific, but yeah, time for a new series....or something...

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  5. I'm with you on this one. I've read the whole series and actually pre-ordered this one for my Nook so I had it there the first day it came out. I've read about 30 pages and never got back to it. These characters just never grew - Stephanie still gravitating between Morelli and Ranger - something needed to be resolved there long ago. The only characters I still loved are Stephanie's family- especially Grandma Mazur - I hear Debbie Reynolds is going to play her in the film and that's not how I figured Grandma to look at all! At any rate I too am done with this series. I've browsed a few of her other series as well and couldn't get enthused about them either.

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  6. P.S. - I meant to say in my last comment that I LOVE the painting at the top of your blog - I had to look twice to see if it was a painting or a photo!

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  7. It's a shame Evanovich sticks with this series way too long. I heard her once at our alma mater, Douglass College of Rutgers Univ., and she's so funny in person. Methinks she needs new characters and a new outlook on writing.

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  8. I agree. I think I got to a higher number than 7 before I thought this series should be done, but I read this review because I keep wanting her to write another one that's good. How, I don't know; I think once you're tired of your characters, you can't recover the initial interest.

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  9. Well, another series not to begin on. And you are not the first reader who has given up on this one, I have noticed.

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  10. I haven't even been interested in picking this one up after reading the last book.

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  11. I don't think I got past book 3. I know *everyone* love Stephenie plum... I didn't. Ranger, on the other hand . . .

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  12. Yvonne-- The only reason why I read this was that I was curious, and her books read very quickly. I tend to say what I think in all my book reviews, although I do try to use diplomacy. Evanovich has been such a juggernaut that she'll take no notice of me!

    Bernadette-- I'm trying out a new author that seems to be agreeing with me at the moment, and I have the next Dr. Siri coming up after that, so things are looking very good indeed.

    Mary-- I know exactly what you mean.

    Margot-- I sometimes wonder if she's felt compelled to continue with the series because the characters are so popular?

    TNelson-- I read the first in one of her other series-- something with a car racing or mechanic twist?-- and although I laughed several times while reading it, the second one was blah, and I haven't tried any other series. Deborah DeWit is one of my favorite artists!

    Barbara-- I think she's going to have the devil of a time coming up with a cast of characters that's anywhere near as popular as this one.

    Jeanne-- I don't think I'd be able to....

    Dorte-- You'll save a bit of money by deciding not to read this series. :)

    Kathy-- The only reason why I did is because I was asleep at the wheel with my PBS wish list!

    Beth-- Yeah. Ranger I like. And Grandma Mazur, although the open casket funerals get a little old with her.

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  13. I feel much the same way. I know I did smile and chuckle a couple of times with this one, but still...doubt I'll read #17 when it comes out. The storyline is TIRED, something needs to change.

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  14. Kris-- If something does change, it's going to have to be a humdinger before I'll pick up #17.

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  15. You made it one more book than me! I gave up after the last one. I'd much rather read the first 7 or so again than read any of the same old, same old 'new' ones.

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  16. Stacy-- If I didn't have this "thing" about re-reading books, I'd be in complete agreement with you. The only reason why I read #16 is that I'd forgotten it was on my PBS wish list, and someone sent it to me!

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